Gwen Frances Kysilka

Gwen Kysilka, 83, of Rogers, passed away April 16, 2012, at Mercy hospital in Rogers, Ark. She was born Nov. 6, 1928, in Velva, N.D., the daughter of Ralph and Frances Lawson Bonine, where she lived until age nine when the family moved to the Lawson homestead at Fairmount, N.D. She retired from Blue Cross/Blue Shield, living and working most of her adult life in southeastern North Dakota. Gwen married Eugene Ahmann of Lidgerwood, N.D., in 1946 and raised her family primarily in Hankinson, N.D. She married James Kysilka of Fairmount, N.D., in 1987 and they moved to Rogers, Ark., in 1997. Gwen's interests were as varied and colorful as the woman herself. She was a proud daughter of the earth, protecting the land where she grew up. She loved being near water, residing alongside lakes and bayous from Minnesota to Louisiana, and lastly, at Beaver Lake, Ark. Forever social, Gwen was a proud member of the Hankinson, N.D., Cultura Club and Literary Club, Parents Without Partners, Helping Hands Group, Girl Scouts of America, Jolly Rogers Good Sams, FOE and the Friends Group. Many veterans of America have been warmed and cheered by her colorful afghans of "granny squares" crocheted and gifted by her. Always interested in medicine, Gwen delivered her first baby at age 17, while working for a local doctor. She eventually became a clinic manager/nurse/right-hand to the doctor in Hankinson, N.D. She eventually moved to Blue Cross Blue Shield of N.D., developing and managing the fraud and abuse department. In her passion for education and literacy, she spent time as a one-room school teacher, a piano teacher, taught literacy on the island of St. Vincent, Virgin Islands, and also supported her children/grandchildren with their education. Gwen authored and co-authored many books and writings; multiple volumes of family histories, spending countless hours of research; multiple books for Beginning Experience, still in use today; and an endless array of short stories garnered from her experiences. And experiences she had, traveling throughout the United States and the world with her beloved husband, Jim, touching countless hearts wherever she went. She is preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Gail Ahmann Schaible Spencer; one brother, MP "Pete" Bonine; one sister, Bonita Bonine Gregerson; one stepson; and her first husband. She is survived by her husband, James Kysilka; daughter, Gari Vibber (Kevin) of Evans Mills, N.Y.; daughter, Gen Hanson (Kim) of Moscow, Idaho; grandson, Wade Schaible of Portland, Ore.; granddaughter, Brooke Lash (Tommy) of McKinney, Texas; grandson, Peter Hanson of Moscow, Idaho; four great-grandchildren; stepsons, Craig Kysilka, Tim Kysilka and Rob Kysilka; stepdaughter, Kay Krajsa (Ken); and seven step-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 21, 2012, at Stockdale-Moody Funeral Chapel in Rogers, with the Rev. Msgr. David LeSieur officiating. Gwen's ashes will be placed at a later date in Fairmount Cemetery in Fairmount, N.D., at which time a memorial gathering will be held. Memorials may be made to your local Literacy Council in Gwen's name. Arrangements have been entrusted to Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services of Rogers. Online condolences may be made to stockdalefuneral.com.